The national professions of the Arabs were three alone: firstly, agriculture, which was confined to a significantly small portion of the entire country, secondly, to nourish and maintain cattle, which is more commonly known as pasturing, and thirdly, trade and commerce, which should be considered the largest profession in Arabia. Since time immemorial the people of Arabia were professionals in commerce. Tribes which were settled near the coast or lived near civilised countries were diligently engaged in trade since the ancient times. In the early era, it was primarily the Arabs who imported and exported goods between the east and the west. Therefore, their mercantile caravans would travel regularly between Syria and Egypt on one side and along the coasts of the Indian Sea on the other. This consistent travel served as a connecting commercial chain between Syria, Egypt and India. However, due to the opening of passage through the sea, Arabian commerce suffered immensely. As a result, on the ancient passage which led to the eastern coast of Arabia, extending from Syria to Ḥijāz then to Yemen and further on through Ḥaḍra Maut, the traffic of mercantile caravans practically came to a complete halt. The only business activity left was to be within the country alone. This local trade was confined only to places like Ḥijāz, Yemen, Baḥrain, Najd, etc. However, approximately 100 years prior to the birth of the Holy Prophetsa the chain of Syria’s commerce commenced once again with Yemen and Baḥrain. Although this commerce was not of the same magnitude (nor could it have possibly been), yet the country was somewhat revived. In the time of the Holy Prophetsa the mercantile caravans of the Quraish regularly travelled to Syria and Yemen. These caravans travelled to other regions as well, however, during this time period, the largest business relationship of the Quraish existed with Syria. The route utilised most often whilst travelling from Makkah to Syria, led to the north, along the Red Sea. Yathrab which later became known as Madīnah, was situated in the close proximity of this very route. Along the passage to Syria, the location wherefrom the path to Madīnah separates to the east is known as Badr, where the first battle between the Muslims and Idolaters took place.
Generally, goods of export consisted of valuable minerals, pearls, animal hide, hot spices and fragrant materials. As can be easily assumed, products of import were generally comprised of grain, clothing, weaponry, liquor and dry foods.
It was the custom of Arabia to arrange commercial carnivals at various locations during different times of the year, wherein merchants from far and wide would thus, engage in trade. Regions such as Dummatul-Jandal near Syria, Mushaqqar in Baḥrain, Wabā in ‘Ummān, San‘ā’ in Yemen and ‘Ukāẓ in Ḥijāz were, in particular, quite noteworthy in the observance of these carnivals.